Norman clark



(No Model.)

N. CLARK. DOOR'HANGBR ROLLBR..

I No. 439,112.

Patented Oct. 28, 1-890.

In: news Pmns cu, "(Wm-11mm, WASHINGTW, o. c

- UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE.

NORMAN CLARK, OF STERLING, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN H. LAWRENCE AND EDWARD F. LAWRENCE, BOTH OF SAME PLACE.

DOOR-HANGER ROLLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,112, dated October 28, 1890.

Application filed May 17, 1890- Serial No. 352,196. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NORMAN CLARK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sterling, in the county of Whiteside and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Door-Rollers; and I do declare the following to be a ful1,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the artto which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has reference to improvements in door-rollers, and is especially applicable to rollers for barn-door hangers in which a roller is supported by and traverses the track; and the object of my invention is to provide a wheel simple in construction and durable in character, and which will have the twofold advantage of traversing the track by its periphery or by the bearing-surface intermediate its lateral plates. I attain these objects by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective of a wheel embodying my invention, viewed obliquely from the side thereof. Fig. 2 is a view in the line of the movement of the wheel. Fig. 3 is a central cross-section in the line a; a: of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 represents my improved wheel supported at its periphery. Fig. 5 is a representation of the same supported upon its intermediate bearing-surface.

As my improved wheel is adapted for use in all of the well-known forms of hangers, and its connection thereto readily perceivable, I do not deem it necessary to show or describe the attendant hanger portion.

In some of the types of supporting rail or track the central elevation thereof, as shown in Fig. 4, is used simply as a guide to the roller, the bearingsurface of said track being on each side of said guide and adapted to support the tread of the periphery of the rollers. In the other type of rail or track, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the central elevation of the track forms the support for the tread of the rollers and the peripheries of the latter are utilized as guides.

tance from the periphery thereof as will leave.

a proper depth of guide-surface of said periphery when the inner walls of the slits B are used for a bearing-surface, as shown in Fig. 5. In the same operation the inner wall of the slit B is forced laterally beyond the plane of the plate A in a curved form until its center projects so far beyond the opposite side of said plate as to form a bearing for the opposite plate, as shown in Fig. 2. The lateral bending aforesaid of the inner wall of the slits B creates depressions 0, having their greatest depth in a radial line from the axle of said wheel to the center of the bent wall of said slit and sides sloping laterally from said line and extending from said bent margin of the slit B to about half-way the distance intermediate the periphery of the wheel and the center thereof, where said depression ends.

The bent or forced-out portions C may be distributed as desired around the face of the wheel A and be of such number and size as maybe desired 5 but I find that seven equally distributed and with an interval between them, respectively, of about the length of the slit B to be a proper number and size.

In each of the plates A slits -B and depressions C are formed, those of each plate being so located as to project between those of the opposite plate, as shown in Fig. 2, whereby there is provided between the plates A at a suitable distance within the periphery a circular tread, which can be utilized as a sup porting-surface for the wheel in the type of track shown in Fig. 5. The curvature of the slits B are about parallel with the periphery of said plates; but, inasmuch as the lateral bending of the inner wall of the slits B causes the longitudinal center of said bent wall to slightly approach the axis of the wheel, it may be desirable to give the slits B an outward curvature slightly greater than that of the periphery of the plates A. As the bent or forced-out portions 0 in each plate A project within the like portions 0 of the opposite plate, there is formed by the succession of the bent inner walls of the slits B a substantially continuous inner tread. As the apex of each bent portion G rests against the inner surface of the opposite plate A, the. bent portions 0 also serve as interior supports and braces for the plates A. The plates A are held together by the usual transverse rivets or bolts D, and, if desired, a central filling E may be placed between the plates A and give the latter greater solidity, although from the number and distribution of the bent portions 0 the complete structure will be found to be very solid and substantial without the intermediate plate E.

F is the usual central transverse pin or axle projected through the center of the plates A and extending a sufficient distance on each side thereof to form bearing-points for the usual hangers.

Gr is a washer placed upon the axle F on the outer face of each plate A to prevent any casual rubbing or friction of said plates against the hanger.

Ihe advantages of my invention consist in the facility with which the plates A can be formed as shown, all of the depressions Obeing produced at one time by a suitable die; also, in the fact that the depressions O are integral with the plates A, in which they are formed, and therefore furnish a filling or internal support for the plates A, which can be neither broken nor weakened; also, in the further fact that the completed wheel is thereby furnished with alternate treads and guides adapted to the twofold use exhibited in Figs.

4 and 5, respectively; also, in the further fact that when the center of the completed wheel is used fora tread the resisting power thereof is substantially equal to that of the periphery of the wheels, for the reason that the depressions O are in fact integral with platesA and conjointly in the two plates operate as staggered braces seated radially in the plates A.

My invention would operate fairly with depressed portions 0 in but one plate.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a door-hanger roller, the combination of two annular plates A, provided, respectively, with an annular series of partially-severed depressions 0, located at short distances within the periphery of said plates and adapted to extend laterally across the interval between said plates and form an optional internal bearing-surface, and suitable means for holding said plates rigidly in relative position, substantially as shown, and for the purpose described.

2. In a door-hanger roller, the combination of plates'A, provided with depressions 0, partially severed from said plates and slightly curved at their outer extremities and adapted, respectively, to abut at their crests against the adjacent face of the opposite plate A, the central filling E, and suitable means for holding said plates rigidly in lateral contact, substantially as shown, and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereofI affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

NORMAN CLARK. \Vitn ess es J OHN G. MANAHAN, GEORGE H. HANNAN. 

